Auburn focusing on small, elite group at OL for 2013 recruiting class

Laremy Tunsil (right) is rated by 247Sports as the nation's top offensive tackle in the Class of 2013. (Photo courtesy of 247Sports)

Gene Chizik made the offensive line a major area of emphasis during his 2012 recruiting campaign, and the Auburn staff responded by putting together one of the best offensive line classes in the nation.

The Tigers signed seven offensive linemen in February, including two who have already enrolled at Auburn, which means Chizik and his assistants will focus on recruiting a smaller group of elite players on the offensive front in 2013.

"Auburn is looking to bring in just a couple of offensive linemen in the 2013 class," said Auburn Undercover recruiting analyst Bryan Matthews. "They are focusing on offensive guards after six of last year's seven signees were projected as tackles coming out of high school."

Among the group of elite prospects getting the royal treatment from the Tigers this year are four-star prospects Ethan Pocic from Lemont, Illinois and Tyrone Crowder out of Rockingham, North Carolina. Both prospects are outside of the Tigers' typical recruiting turf but have Auburn among their early favorites thanks to strong recruiting efforts from Chizik and his staff.

Two prospects that Auburn faces more of an uphill battle for are Prattville's Austin Golson and Lake City, Florida star Laremy Tunsil. Golson, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle, has been committed to Florida State for over a year and hasn't shown any public signs of wavering despite visiting Auburn multiple times since last fall.

Tunsil, meanwhile, remains uncommitted but is arguably the most sought-after offensive lineman in the nation for the Class of 2013. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle is rated by 247Sports as the No.1 offensive tackle in the nation and is being heavily pursued by nearly every top program in the country, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama and LSU among others.

When it comes to recruiting in-state, Auburn has their eye on a number of rising prospects including Blount High School's Wilson Bell. The Mobile-area prospect recently received a visit from Auburn assistant Tommy Thigpen and plans to attend a camp at Auburn this summer in hopes of receiving a scholarship offer.

"Auburn wants to bring Bell and several more of its targets in for a camp this summer for a firsthand evaluation before offering a scholarship," Matthews said.

Meanwhile on campus, Auburn's recent success in recruiting offensive linemen should pay immediate dividends this season as Chizik and his staff look forward to having their deepest roster of talent yet on the offensive front.

"With the addition of the 2012 class, Auburn will have a full group of offensive linemen for the first time since Gene Chizik arrived in 2008," Matthews said. "That gives offensive line coach Jeff Grimes a number of options to work with and some real competition at several key spots. We saw some that in the spring as sophomore Chad Slade and January enrollee Pat Miller split time with the first-team at right tackle."